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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
08:45
Whole Genome Sequencing of Candida glabrata for Detection of Markers of Antifungal Drug Resistance
Published on: December 28, 2017
Candida glabrata YPK2 is a multidrug susceptibility locus
Lucia Simonicova1, Thomas P Conway1, Thomas Krüger2
1Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA USA 52242.
Genetics
|July 10, 2026
Summary
The Ypk2 kinase is crucial for Candida glabrata's resistance to antifungal drugs. Its absence increases susceptibility to azoles and echinocandins, highlighting its role in coordinating antifungal drug resistance.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Molecular Biology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Fungal and mammalian biological conservation complicates antifungal drug development.
- Candida glabrata exhibits rapid resistance to azoles and echinocandins.
- Upc2A is a known regulator of azole susceptibility and echinocandin resistance in C. glabrata.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel proteins interacting with Upc2A.
- To investigate the role of Ypk2 in antifungal drug susceptibility in C. glabrata.
Main Methods:
- Biochemical co-purification to identify Upc2A interacting proteins.
- Phenotypic analysis of YPK2 deletion strains.
- RNA-sequencing to assess transcriptional changes.
Main Results:
- Ypk2 AGC kinase was identified as a Upc2A interacting protein.
- Strains lacking YPK2 showed increased susceptibility to fluconazole and caspofungin.
- Ypk2 is a multidrug susceptibility factor, impacting resistance to major antifungal classes.
- Loss of Ypk2 altered the transcriptional response to antifungal drugs.
Conclusions:
- Ypk2 plays a significant role in coordinating gene expression related to antifungal drug susceptibility in C. glabrata.
- Targeting Ypk2 could be a strategy to combat drug-resistant fungal infections.
